PBA: Sweet-shooting Blaze Boosters survive Rain or Shine rally

(Updated 9:27pm) Arwind Santos turned in a career-best performance and towed the Petron Blaze Boosters to a 110-103 win over the struggling Rain or Shine Elasto Painters in Sunday’s second game of the PBA Commissioner’s Cup at the Ynares Center in Antipolo.             Santos exploded for a new career high of 34 points and while also corralling 13 rebounds, as he took care of business for the Boosters when import Nick Fazekas got into foul trouble in the second half.             The former Far Eastern University forward scored 21 of his output in the last two quarters and finished 5-of-7 from beyond the arc after starting the tournament 0-for-9 from three-point range. He also grabbed 13 rebounds before fouling out late in the game.             His brilliance during that stretch paved the way for the Boosters to enjoy their biggest lead of the game at 91-77 with a full 12 minutes of play.             Alex Cabagnot added 24 points, including three straight free throws in the final minute that clinched the Boosters’ third straight win, while Fazekas had 22.             “I think ok na ang adjustment namin with our import. Dati we just watched him [Fazekas], pero ngayon the locals have began stepping up,” said Petron coach Ato Agustin.                          Import Duke Crews scored 41 points for the Elasto Painters, but struggled from the free throw line with his 18-for-30 clip.                          Crews did manage to spark a late comeback attempt, teaming up with big boys Beau Belga and JR Quinahan to inch within 103-100 with 2:12 to go in the match. But that was the closest Rain or Shine could get, as Fazekas and Cabagnot alternated scoring for the Boosters in the final two minutes to guarantee the win for the Boosters.             Ronjay Buenafe had 11 for the Elasto Painters, while Quinahan and Jeff Chan chipped in 10 points each.   Now on a roll, the Boosters find themselves tied with Alaska for a share of third place with a 3-2 card, after starting the tournament with back-to-back losses.             Rain or Shine plummeted down the standings and tied the Meralco Bolts at the bottom at 1-4 with their second straight loss. - AMD, GMA News   The scores: Petron 110 - Santos 34, Cabagnot 24, Fazekas 22, Yeo 15, Ildefonso 7, Agustin 2, Reyes 2, Miranda 2, Tugade 2, Miranda 0. Rain or Shine 103 - Crews 41, Buenafe 11, Chan 10, Quinahan 10, Lee 9, Norwood 8, Belga 4, Cruz 3, Arana 3, Uyloan 2, Tang 2, Matias 0, Jaime 0, Ibanes 0. Quarter scores: 33-26, 57-51, 91-77, 110-103